A BLISSFUL - NOSTALGIC JOURNEY TO KANDHAMAL

My State Orissa is the home of amazing and enchanting natural beauty. Because of its undulating topography it is endowed with places of natural beauty, which are in abundance especially in the Western part of Orissa. The natural stream, waterfalls and forest resources at here are so attractive and lovable that these move the heart of the tourists.
 
In this article here today I’m narrating my unforgettable and most enjoyed trip to the place Kandhamal, located at the western side of Orissa.
 

VIEW OF KANDHAMAL

The district of Kandhamal is blessed with the beauty of nature. It is the land filled with various and beautiful waterfalls and streams. It has wild life, scenic beauty, healthy climate, and serpentine ghat roads for the tourists, who need to relax and enjoy. It has attractions, like panoramic coffee gardens, pine jungles, Ghat roads, hills and water falls, virgin forest and typical tribal village life.
 

COFFEE GARDEN AT KANDHAMAL

Here around 66% of the land area of the district is covered with dense forest and high-reaching mountains which provide shelter to its local tribal or inhabitants like Kondhas, rich in lush green grasslands at the attitude of 2000 ft. to 3000 ft., the terraced valleys multituted with these colorful tribal in their natural heritage, dancing and sporting has its own appeal.  This place is also famous for its beautiful handicrafts such as Dokra, Terra-Cotta works, and also Cane and Bamboo works.
 
ABOUT THE TRIP:
It was the period of winter, when people normally prefer to explore new places, we decided to visit Kandhamal. I along with my two friends Partha & Sumant started the trip from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. Before that we have collected all the information regarding the places to visit, to explore. I’m passionate about natural photography, so for trip I’d purchased a Nikon DSLR camera to have some momentous and beautiful clicks.
 
Day-I
We started the journey with full of excitement at around 10:00 PM by a Bus. The distance from Bhubaneswar to Kandhamal is around 266 K.M. So we reached Kandhamal around 4:30 PM in the next day morning.
 

ROAD MAP FOR BHUBANESWAR TO KANDHAMAL

At the time we reached Kandhamal, the atmosphere was so chilled. The temperature there on that day was 4 degree Celsius. Normally here you’ll find snow falling during the winter. We found some people were making fire to get rid of the cold winter, some are taking hot tea at the tea-stall near the Bus-stop and some were in deep sleep with wearing the blanket.
 
We then moved directly to the hotel, which we had booked before for some refreshment and then at around 5:45 AM we started to explore the place with a Tourist Guide. We took a Toyota Innova vehicle for this. We started early as we had plan to view the Sunrise view at the hill-top, which was so amazing and most watchable. The soft red hue of the rising sun was visible on the horizon far and above and the fresh morning aroma of the winter just added to the magic of the place. 
 
The route to Kandhamal passes through Daringibadi, which is nearer to this place. This place is so famous for its climate & snowfall, so it is called as “the Kashmir of Orissa”.So after having the Sunrise view we moved to enjoy the snowfall at Daringibadi Hill station and the natural beauty of that place.
 

ROAD MAP FOR KANDHAMAL TO DARINGIBADI

 

WAY TO DARINGIBADI

We three had never before such experience of snow falling so we enjoyed a lot as if we don’t want to miss a single moment.

VIEW OF DARINGIBADI

Because of this, whenever I think about nature’s beauty, the place Kandhamal and its natural views instantly come to mind and it’s hard curb your urge to visit that place again. The story of this place with its lush green natural beauty filled with mountains, it’s so simple innocent tribal people and inhabitants, which is inexpressible in words. Also its water falling sounds from the streams created by the nature, which is incomparable.
 
After having some breakfast at a restaurant nearby the road, at around 10:30 AM we then move to the place Katramal, which is just 3.5 K.M from Kandhamal. It’s famous for the Katramal Waterfall. It’s located in the Phiringia Forest Range. Initially to attract the trippers, the administration department had built one watch tower and an approaching bridge, which is now in damaged state.

KATRAMAL WATERFALL

So the inhabitants have developed a wooden bridge here, and we had to pass through it. Though, initially we were getting fear to cross, but later found that it was not dangerous. Then you can move to the watch tower to view the natural scenery. There the view was so beautiful, you can have the view of whole Katramal area from there.

KATRAMAL WATERFALL FROM THE TOP

After enjoying the natural scenery, we then came down from the watch tower to enjoy the Katramal Waterfall. The water was so chilled but was very much enjoyable. The most interesting thing was there that, the place at where the water from the fall is falling we found small fishes are playing there, which was so funny, as if the nature has created an aquarium there.

FISHES IN KATRAMAL WATERFAL

One thing if you’re coming to this place ever, please have some biscuits or bread pieces with yourself. It’s not only for you, but for the fishes with whom you can make friendship, you can call them towards yourself and enjoy the moment. We had biscuits with us, so we did the same what others were also doing and enjoyed the moment a lot.

FISHES IN KATRAMAL WATERFALL

Then we enjoyed the waterfall for around half an hour, took bath there and then went for lunch. After lunch we then moved to Urmagarh Waterfall which is around 5-6 KM from Katramal waterfall. 
 

URMAGARH WATERFALL FROM THE TOP

The road for this is a Mud Road, with lots of pebbles, uncovered stones and gravels. The road takes one to the heart of Kandhamal forests and the aerial yet magnificent trees of all kind stood tall in this amazing hinterland. Finally we reached Urmagarh waterfall. There was very less water in the fall since the rains had been pretty less in this part of the area but nonetheless the view was breathtaking indeed. We especially enjoyed the natural beauty there with some awesome and unforgettable clicks. 
 

URMAGARH WATERFALL

After spending some few but priceless moments in the lap of nature along with its immense natural and scenic beauty, which was a joy to behold and we three were completely mesmerized by this whole experience. Finally it was time for we all three to parting and to bid adieu to these waterfalls. We then directly moved to the hotel after a whole day of exciting, interesting, enjoyable and adventurous trip. Finally we reached the hotel around 5:30 PM in the evening. After our dinner we enjoyed the clicks that we had taken that day and then went for sleep. Some moments of that day was so nostalgic and special that those are hard to forget. Especially enjoying the snowfall, the sunrise, and the Katramal waterfall.
 
Day-II
Next day we started the journey a bit earlier at around 5:00 AM in the morning. Because that day we had to return back to Bhubaneswar late night after visiting the remaining places of the journey and Kandhamal. That day we had planned to visit some temples located there along with some other waterfall and places. 

So we again directly moved to the Urmagarh Village, where the Urmagarh Waterfall is located, that we had visited on Day-I. Here we came again to visit the famous temple of Goddess Urma Devi. According to our guide, here the inhabitants have the belief that nobody tells lie in front Goddess Urma Devi and if anyone tells he/she gets caught. So people of this place have strong belief on the Goddess. 
 
The scenic view of the temple area located in between the Kandhamal forest and hilly areas was so mesmerizing and pleasant. Also from the administration department one message has been given to people that, those who cuts trees from the jungle, Urma Devi gets anger on him/her. So people at this place don’t cut the trees and destroy the nature’s beautiful scenic gift. Finally we pay our adoration for the deity and move forward to the place Putudi after doing a small worship and taking the Goddess Blessings.
 

ROAD MAP FOR KANDHAMAL TO PUTUDI

The place Putudi is also located to Urmagarh and only 15 K.M. far from the place Kandhamal. It’s also famous for its waterfall. Now must be guessing why at the beginning I described this place as land of Streams or Waterfalls. While visiting Putudi, we passed through lots of Ghats. Though it was so adventurous and full of fear, but still so exciting. While passing through the Ghats you’ll see high-reaching mountains and dense forests along both the sides of the roads. We took some clicks of these beautiful views.
 

PUTUDI WATERFALL

Then finally around 11:00 AM we reached at Putudi Waterfall. This place is most enjoyable during the summer because of its beauty and calmness. Here also you’ll find a watch tower made by the Government to have to beautiful natural view from the top of the tower. But the most enjoyable thing is to enjoy falling water of this fall, which we enjoyed a lot and took some very good photos to engraved the moments permanently and to remember.
The whole Kandhamal District is surrounded by the river Saalunki, which is originated from this waterfall. So along with Putudi, as per the Guide’s suggestions we enjoyed the river view of River Saalunki. Really the place was so pleasant and so beautiful.
 

SAALUNKI RIVER

Then after lunch we moved to our final destination of the trip, namely Balas Kumpa Temple. It’s the place which is so beautiful, so enchanting and associated with the arts and culture of Kandhamal District.
 
Here the Goddess Balas Kumpa is being worshipped. This temple was created by the Boudha King. Here people had the belief that, whoever wishes something here, it gets fulfilled. Here also we did a small puja and taking the blessings we came to the end of our journey.
 
Finally bidding a happy adieu to the Kandhamal District and it’s full of natural beauty we moved directly to the hotel to pick the Bus for Bhubaneswar.
 

ROAD MAP FOR KANDHAMAL TO BHUBANESWAR

Got Emotional….???
It’s obvious and same was also for me, when I left that day from Kandhamal. Actually it’s the effect, fragrance and mesmerizing natural beauty of Kandhamal which make you emotional and this journey to Kandhamal in our life was so touching and will remain ever as an Unforgettable part.
 

SUNSET VIEW OF KANDHAMAL

So have a visit to Kandhamal to add a new chapter to your life also…!!!

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Mehndi - A Beautifying And Grooming Gift Of Nature

 

Mehndi or Henna is used for temporary skin decoration. Traditional Indian Mehndi designs are the representations of the sun on the palm. In the late 1990s Mehndi decorations became fashionable in the West, which are also called henna tattoos. On special   occasions such as Hindu weddings and Hindu festivals like Karva Chauth, Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Teej and many more festival, Mehndi is typically applied. It is usually drawn on the palms and feet, where the design will be clearest due to contrast with the lighter skin on these surfaces, which naturally contains less of the pigment melanin. Henna was originally used as a form of decoration mainly for brides.

These Days usually people buy ready-made Henna cones, which are ready to use and make painting easy. However, in rural areas in India, women grind fresh Henna Leaves on grinding stones with added oil, which though not as refined as professionally prepared henna cones, achieves much darker colors. Mehndi can be used in 2 ways either for decoration in palm and feet or for application in hair.

How To Use Mehndi In Your Palm and Feet:

Henna paste is usually applied on the skin using a plastic cone.  The Henna Paste gets dry after about 15–20 minutes and begins to crack. At this point, a mixture of lemon juice and white sugar can be applied over the henna so that the henna will stain darker. The painted area on the skin is then wrapped with tissue or plastic for creating more intense colour. The wrap can be kept for 3 to 4 hours or overnight and then removed. When removed, the henna design is pale to dark orange in colour and gradually darkens through oxidation, within 24 to 72 hours. Finally the colour becomes reddish brown. It can last from one to three weeks depending on the quality and type of henna paste applied, as well as where it was applied on the body Generally thicker skin stains darker and longer than thin skin. Moisturizing with natural oils, such as mustard, olive, or coconut oil helps in extending the lifetime of the stain.

Mehndi/Henna For Hair:
Mehndi is a really wonderful natural hair dye which has been used in India since ages as it has great qualities in it. 

How To Use Henna On Your Hair:
In a bowl take enough quantity of henna according to the length of your hair. Add little warm water into it and mix properly to make a thick paste. Now squeeze one lemon juice on it.  Add a few drops of mustard oil to it if hair is dry,  but if hair texture is oily then lemon juice is good for it. Add two teaspoons of yogurt to it for a dry and itchy scalp (with dandruff). Apply it on your hair properly and leave it for 2-3 hours and let it dry completely. Make sure your hair is clean before you apply henna. Finally, wash your hair with running tap water and then dry your hair naturally.

Benefits of Mehndi application on Hair:

• Strengthen hair
• Increases the volume of hair
• Helps in maintaining Dandruff free hair
• Gives a natural shine to hair
• Gives a natural conditioning of hair

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Navratri – The Festival of Nine Divine Nights and its Significance

What is Navratri Festival:
"Nava-ratri" literally means "nine nights." This festival is basically observed twice a year, once in the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter though it comes five times in a year but we generally celebrate the above said two times. 

Navratri is the sacred and joyous festival of the Hindu community of India. Observed over a period of nine nights, the festival is famous almost throughout the country for its religious and social importance. It is devoted to the worship of the divine Mother in various forms under different names by different people.

Like any other Hindu festival, Navratri has a spiritual message for its observers. This nine-day festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil and exhorts mankind to wake up from the slumber of ignorance, remove all negativities, purify the mind and cultivate positive virtues. This alone can help one gain the necessary spiritual knowledge to transcend all earthly limitations and achieve salvation - the highest goal of human life. This in fact, is the underlying theme of the whole of the Vedas (the ancient Hindu religious texts).

'Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night'. Thus, 'Navratri' means 'nine nights'. There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals. All of them are related to Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various forms. It is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar, it holds special significance for Gujratis and Bengalis and one can see it in the zeal and fervor of the people with which they indulge in the festive activities of the season. Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival in Gujarat, while farmer sow seeds and thank the Goddess for her blessings and pray for better yield. In older times, Navratri was associated with the fertility of Mother Earth who feed us as her children.

There are different pujas and ceremonies performed on each of the nine days, most notably is fasting on the eighth day and then the immersion of Goddess Durga’s image in holy rivers on Dusshera, which falls on the day right after Navratri ends (the 10th day).

Indian tradition is one of the few traditions in which the Feminine aspect of the divine is worshipped with as much reverence as the Masculine aspect. Throughout India you will see thousands of temples dedicated to various manifestations of the Divine Mother. You will find hundreds of thousands of people who are “Shakti worshippers.”


Significance of Navratri:
During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as "Durga," which literally means the remover of miseries of life. She is also referred to as "Devi" (goddess) or "Shakti" (energy or power). It is this energy, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation and destruction.

In other words, you can say that God is motionless, absolutely changeless, and the Divine Mother Durga, does everything. Truly speaking, our worship of Shakti re-confirms the scientific theory that energy is imperishable. It cannot be created or destroyed. It is always there.


The festival signifies the nine glorious aspects of the Divine Mother and is celebrated not only in India but in many parts of the world. Mother Goddess is also called Shakti, the energy of God. She is the energy of the trinity, as the creative aspect of Lord Brahma, sustaining aspect of Lord Vishnu and destructive aspect of Lord Shiva are all encompassed within Her.

Why Worship the Mother Goddess:
We think this energy is only a form of the Divine Mother, who is the mother of all, and all of us are her children. "Why mother; why not father?", you may ask. Let me just say that we believe that God's glory, his cosmic energy, his greatness and supremacy can best be depicted as the motherhood aspect of God. Just as a child finds all these qualities in his or her mother, similarly, all of us look upon God as mother.

In fact, Hinduism is the only religion in the world, which gives so much importance to the mother aspect of God because we believe that mother is the creative aspect of the absolute.

According to one story, Goddess Parvati went to her father's house to stay there for few days. On this occasion, to express love to her, King Himachal the father of Parvatiji announced celebration of her welcome as a festival. She started her journey on 1st day of full moon of Ashwin month, and she stayed at father's house for 3 days, i.e. 7th, 8th and 9th day of full moon of Ashwin month. And then she returned back. That's why last three days of Navratri are most important days for her worship.

Navratri Festival According to Devi Puran :
According to Devi Puran, during the battle of Lord Ram and Demon King Ravana, Lord Brahma as a Guru of Lord Ram awakened the Mother Goddess during her time of sleeping. It was 8th day of waning moon of Ashwin month. Goddess Durga wake up and stated the procedure of her worship during Navratri. She said that a devotee should awake her on 8th day (or ninth day with combination of Ardra Nakshatra) of waning moon of Ashwin month. He has to perform all general worship daily.

When Navratri starts from 1st day of waxing moon of Ashwin month, then he should do special worship for nine days, i.e. upto 9th day of waxing moon of Ashwin month. A devotee who perform this special worship during nine days of Navratri, and celebrated it as a festival, he becomes free from all bondages and gets all prosperity. In Navratri, Lord Ram worshipped her and successfully killed the Demon King Ravana on 10th day.

Navratri Festival According to Durga Saptashati :
Navratri Festival celebration is described by Goddess Durga in Durga Saptashati Granth. After killing Demon Kings Shumbh and Nishumbh, all deities praised Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga pleased and asked Deities to get a boon. Deities said, "O Mother Goddess! Please always remove our all obstacles and enemies like this to establish peace everywhere." Mother Goddess gave them this boon and said about her worship during Navratri Festival. She said that, a devotee must do her annual worship during Navratri, i.e. from 1st day of waxing moon of Ashwin month to 9th day of waxing moon of Ashwin month.

By doing so, She please as much as she please with worship for continuous one year, perfectly following methodology of her worship. By Celebrating Navratri Festival, she is so pleased that she removes all obstacles in life, protects everywhere, all enemies give up their enmity, a devotee doesn't has to suffer separation of his/her loved ones, gets all kinds of prosperity and finally goes to her adobe after leaving body.

One more scientific reason behind Navratri Festival is that it the new harvesting season. So farmers pray Earth as Mother Goddess to give good crop for the whole year.

When Navratri is Celebrated:
Navratri and Navratri Festival, these are two different things. According to Hindu Calendar, Navratri comes 5 times in a year, while two out of those five Navratris are celebrated as festivals, which comes in Ashwin month and Chaitra month. Five Navratris are as follows :

• Chaitra Navratri : Chaitra Navratri comes in Chaitra month according to Hindu Calendar. This Navratri is also known as Vasanti Navratri because of the season Vasant (Spring, in month March-April). Chaitra Navratri is celebrated from 1st day of waxing moon to 9th day of waxing moon of Chaitra Month. This Navratri is celebrated as Navratri Festival. On it's 9th day, birthday of Lord Ram is celebrated. This Navratri is also known as Bodhan Navratri, because Goddess is awakened at this time.
• Ashadi Gupta (Secret) Navratri : Ashadi Navratri is Gupta or Secret Navratri in which saadhak (devotee) perform very special rituals to attain some siddhi. Generally, this Navratri is not for all common people. Ashadi Navratri starts from 1st day of waxing moon of Ashad month and ends on 9th day of waxing moon of Ashad month (June-July month).
• Shardiya Navratri : Shardiya Navratri is celebrated as annual festival. Shrdiya Navratri comes in Ashwin month, Sharad Ritu (Autumn season). This Navratri starts from 1st day of waxing moon of Ashwin month and ends on 9th day of waxing moon of Ashwin Month. It is also known as Shayan Navratri, because this the time of sleeping of Mother Goddess.
• Paush Navratri : Paush navratri is also known as Shakambhari Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Shakambhari. This Navratri starts from 8th day of waxing moon of Paush month and ends on 15th day of waxing moon (poornima) of Paush month.
• Magha Gupta Navratri : Magha Navratri is Gupta Navratri. This Navratri starts from 1st day of waxing moon of Magha month and ends on 9th day of waxing moon of Magha month. Similar to Ahsadi Navratri it is for all. Sadhak do special worship to attain Siddhis.

Why Celebrated Twice in A Year:
Every year the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctures of climatic change and solar influence. These two junctions have been chosen as the sacred opportunities for the worship of the divine power because:

1. We believe that it is the divine power that provides energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing the changes in the outer nature and that this divine power must be thanked for maintaining the correct balance of the universe.
2. Due to the changes in the nature, the bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change, and hence, we worship the divine power to bestow upon all of us enough potent powers to maintain our physical and mental balance. 

 Why Nine Nights and Days :
Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and defects.

The next three days, the Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees the inexhaustible wealth.

The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the mother as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order have all-round success in life, we need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights.

How is Navratri Festival Celebrated:
Navaratri festival celebration begins with the rituals of “Ghata Sthapana or installing Kalash of Holy Water”. On Navratri, all Durga (forms of Durga) temples are decorated beautifully with flowers, petals, leaves etc and kalash is installed near idol of Goddess Durga. Idols of Goddess Durga are decorated with beautiful ornaments, flowers etc.

Special Aartis and other devotional songs with love and devotion are sung by groups of devotees. On Navratri, all people at their home, worship Goddess Durga. All people start the Navratri festival with Ghat Sthapna at thier homes. Then devotees offers flowers, lamp, sweets, sacred water etc. to please Goddess Durga. Devotees keep fast during Navratri. They eat only one time for nine days.

There are Nine forms of Goddess Durga, that a devotee worships during Navratri. According to Hindu Mythology the Nine forms are:

• First Day            : Shailputri
• Second Day       : Brahmcharini
• Third Day          : Chandraghanta
• Fourth Day        : Kushmanda
• Fifth Day            : Skandhmata
• Sixth Day           : Katyayani
• Seventh Day     : Kalratri
• Eighth Day        : Mahagauri
• Ninth Day          : Siddhidatri

Nine forms of Goddess Durga

The nine days of the festival also represent the three stages through which one passes on the spiritual path. During the first three days, the Goddess Dugra is worshipped in her powerful, destructive, terrifying aspect. Many people, when beginning the spiritual path, have an inherent fear of God; therefore this first phase of Navaratri represents the first stage of a spiritual path. 

During these three days, the devotee prays to the Mother to use Her destructive power to destroy his imperfections and his faults. He prays for Her to make him pure enough to receive the divine energy. Additionally, this terrifying aspect of the Divine is the one who protects the new spiritual seeker on his path. Thus, the first three days of Navratri are devoted to annihilating the negative tendencies of our minds and hearts.

The second three days of Navaratri are days in which the Mother is worshipped in Her prosperity-bestowing form.  Once the negative tendencies have been annihilated, one is ready to begin developing a positive, spiritual personality. These are the days that positive attributes replace the negative attributes which were removed. 

These days are the worship of Goddess Maha Lakshmi, the bestower of prosperity.  On the spiritual path, after people overcome the fear of God, they frequently pray for material wealth or external prosperity. They pray for success in their ventures and for the removal of obstructions in their path. The prosperity Maha Laxmi bestows is not merely material prosperity, but it is also all of the qualities which a sincere spiritual seeker craves - calmness, peace, equanimity, compassion, love.

During the last three days, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped as the bestower of true wisdom and understanding. Once the devotee has been purified by Goddess Durga and has had his vices annihilated, and once he has had the spiritual wealth of inner peace, calmness, compassion and love bestowed upon him by Maha Laxmi, then he is ready to receive the true light of understanding. This wisdom can not come unless the devotee has passed through the first two stages. Just as one would not pour divine nectar into an unclean, broken and impure cup, one can similarly not expect to have divine wisdom granted unless the vessel has been purified and made divine.

During Navratri, the Rasa (dance of joy) of Shree Krishna and the Gopis is also enacted. This dance symbolizes the dance of Realisation which represents the joy and happiness of the mind that becomes purer and calmer due to a greater understanding of the nature of the Inner Self.

The Ninth day of Navaratri is celebrated as Ayudha pooja which has a special significance. It is held to be the time when the Pandava brothers retrieved their weapons that they had stashed in a Shami tree during the last year of their 13 year exile. On this day, all articles that are used for progress and prosperity of mankind are worshipped. People worship their work-tools, household appliances and their vehicles on this day.

The festival concludes in Dusshera or Vijayadasami. According to popular belief, Dussehra celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the wicked demon Mahishasura who, according to legend, belonged to Mysore. It is also believed that the festival actually commemorates the killing of the great demon king of Lanka, Ravan, by Lord Rama. Both Mahishasura and Ravan are demons and their execution is a symbol of the destruction of the evil that resides within our mind. Navaratri represents the triumph of good over evil.

                                                 Goddess Durga Killing The Demon Mahishasura

Conclusion:
Navarati should be a time of not only celebrating Goddess Durga’s triumph over the evil demon, but rather it should also be a time of praying to Goddess Durga to remove the evil from within us, not only the evil in the external world. We must pray to her to annihilate our inner enemies — our ego, our greed, our anger — just as she vanquished the evil demon.  These traits inside us are just as powerful, just as insidious, and just as deadly as any of the asuras or demons.

Let us note also that Goddess Durga wears red, which symbolizes divine action. The Goddess is never idle. She is always busy in the destruction of evil in the world. As we vow to remove the evil from our own hearts and our own lives, we must be just as vigilant, just as active and just as conscientious.   We must never become complacent; for anger, greed, ego, and lust are always present, always lurking, and always ready to make home in welcoming hearts.

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Indian Traditional Sari/Saree

Sari or Saree is a traditional outfit of women in India.In all auspicious occasion all women like to wear saris.It is very comfortable.
                                                                                        

                                                                          SARI
 
There are so many ways of wearing a sari.some of them are:

• Nivi style(AP)
  
• Bengali and Oriya style
  
• Gujarati and Rajasthani style
  
• Maharashtrian and Konkani style
  
• Malayali style
  
• Kodagu style(Karnataka)
  
• Madisar(Tamil Nadu)

There are different categories of saris depending upon different regions and places in India,such as

• CENTRAL STYLES SARI
  
• EASTERN STYLES SARI
  
• NORTHERN STYLES SARI
  
• WESTERN STYLES SARI
  
• SOUTHERN STYLES SARI

CENTRAL STYLES:

•     Chanderi saree(MP)
  
•     Kosa silk(Chhatisgarh)

EASTERN STYLES

• Sambalpuri saree silk and cotton(Sambalpur Orissa)
  
• Bomkai/Sonepuri sari silk & cotton(Subarnapur/sonepur Orissa)
  
• Bapta silk and cotton(Koraout Orissa)
  
• Mooga silk(Assam)
  
• Baluchari silk (WB)
  
• Tussar silk(Bihar)

WESTERN STYLES

• Paithani(Maharashtra)
  
• Bandhani(Gujarat and Rajasthan)
  
• Patola(Gujarat)
  
• Kota doria(Rajasthan)

NORTHERN STYLES

• Banarasi(UP)

SOUTHERN STYLES

• Mysore silk sari(Mysore Karnataka)
  
• Kanchipuram or Kanjivaram(Tamilnadu)
  
• Pochampally sari(AP)

Now-a-days saris are available through online shopping sites.The followings are some good sites to  buy  sari in my experience:

• www.trivenisarees.com
  
• www.svsilks.com
  
• www.pothys.com
  
• www.rmkv.com
  
• www.parinita.co.in
  
• www.unnatisilks.com

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